Thermal Analysis of Combustion and Carbonization of Wax-Treated Pine Wood for Sustainable Building Applications

초록

Hydrophobic wax is commonly used to enhance the dimensional stability of wood; however, its influence on the thermal and combustion behavior of wood under controlled heat flux conditions remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the ignition, mass-loss characteristics, and carbonization behavior of pine wood pressure impregnated with paraffin and polyethylene (PE) waxes using a mass loss calorimeter at 50 kW<middle dot>m-2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine wax penetration and structural degradation before and after combustion. PE wax-treated specimens exhibited the longest time to ignition and the lowest mass loss, indicating superior thermal stability compared to untreated and paraffin wax-treated wood. Wax-filled lumens burned off prior to cell wall degradation, allowing the wood matrix to retain its structural morphology during combustion. Surface cracking and carbonization depth were significantly reduced in wax-treated specimens, particularly those treated with PE wax. These findings demonstrate that wax modification can delay thermal decomposition and improve combustion resistance, suggesting the potential of wax-treated timber as a bio-based material with improved combustion resistance for sustainable building applications.

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